Your supervisor

Prof Jeremy Wulff — Connecting with an academic supervisor who is a good match to see you through a thesis, research project or dissertation is a key piece of the graduate puzzle.

Finding a good match

A great supervisor oversees your academic work, is passionate about your subject area and invested in your success. This mentor may work with you to identify research and teaching roles, members of a supervisory committee, and career opportunities that will carry you beyond your degree. Ideally, this relationship is the foundation that moves you closer to your goals.

When looking for a supervisor, consider the research projects that each faculty member does, whether your work and communication styles are compatible, and what type of funding is available for you in that lab and department.

How to find your supervisor

There are typically two ways to find a supervisor:

Apply to your graduate program, then researchers looking for students will contact you after your application is accepted.
Identify researchers you want to work with and approach them to see if they're looking for a graduate student and if you're a good research fit together. You can then indicate the name(s) of potential faculty supervisors in your application.

The supervisor-student relationship

You'll find advice for working with your supervisor on the site. Read the Graduate Supervision Policy, which defines the expectations and responsibilities in the supervisory relationship.